Donald DeGree

Donald James DeGree,

91, Minot, ND, formerly of

Foxholm, ND, entered

eternal life Tuesday, April

13, 2021 in his home.

Donald was a true fami-

ly man. If he wasn’t in the

field he was surrounded

by all who loved and

cherished him. Donald

was born on July 18, 1929,

in Minot, ND, to Jay and

Veronica (Stammen) De-

Gree. Donald attended

Stammen Country School

and then helped his father

farm.

Donald’s family started

on June 10, 1958 at St.

Mary’s Foxholm Church

when he was united in

marriage to Evelyn Jean

(Schmitz) DeGree. Donald

and Evelyn grew their life

together on their farm

near Lake Darling. Donald

and Evelyn danced and

danced. They spent many

evenings in Donnybrook,

ND dancing to all the

country hits from Hank

Williams to Jimmie Rodg-

ers. When the dancing

was over they made sure

to stop by for a hamburger

and a malt. Evelyn was al-

ways smitten getting to be

with Donald with his

ocean-blue eyes and curly

red locks.

Together, Donald and

Evelyn raised their five

healthy boys and two

beautiful daughters. Many

memories are shared

between them about their

neighborhood gatherings,

butchering chickens,

hunting weekends, and

making sausage that

brought everyone togeth-

er. If it wasn’t Evelyn’s

home cooked meals it was

sure Donald’s hospitality

that made all who entered

welcome. It was known

you did not leave their

home hungry.

Donald was very active

in his community. He was

a member of the Carpio

School Board, a Farmer’s

Union board member, on

the Re-districts Board

Committee, and in St.

Mary’s Township. Donald

also kept busy on the

Minot’s FHA, Holy Name

Society, and later joined

Our Lady of Grace Church

in Minot, ND when they

moved off the farm in

1994.

Donald DeGree made it

known that his main goal

in life was to help others

and make a difference.

Donald enjoyed his years

having his father live with

him, helping on the farm

and building their way of

life. Donald’s house was

the common home that

anyone in need was in-

cluded in, there was a pil-

low and warm food for

everyone. Donald was al-

ways willing to help oth-

ers; no job was too big or

too small for him. Donald

was the humble neighbor

everyone could come to,

and they did. He found

his joy in helping others.

Donald was a faithful

man. Sundays were al-

ways filled with church

and prayer. He prayed all

the time. Donald didn’t

pray for himself but he

prayed for the people he

loved and those in need.

His children knew that

Sundays were for God.

Donald knew that a life

without God was no life at

all.

Donald and Evelyn’s

current residence of

Minot, where they moved

to in 1994, became the

new Easter egg dying,

Sunday brunches, the ad-

ventures of Donald’s shed,

and holiday gathering

place. The house in SW

Minot was where Donald

welcomed each one of his

grandchildren with open

arms (socks and shoes op-

tional).

Donald found his

never-ending love for his

twenty-two grandchildren

and great grandchildren.

His lessons of life never

stopped and many contin-

ue to be told each and

every day. Donald knew

all the tips and tricks to

make life full and enjoy-

able. Push-Up lessons,

gardening rules, mowing

routines, and how to

properly bake cookies

were some of the

engraved lessons that will

stay with all. “Try it, you

might like it,” will be

some of the strongest

words of wisdom from

Grandpa.

Donald loved being on

the farm. From hunting,

fixing all that was broken,

and admiring the land

and farm he built;

Donald’s best memories

were made on the farm.

Even though Donald will

be missed, his words and

lessons will live on

through all who walked

his path.

His loving family in-

cludes: wife of 62 years,

Evelyn DeGree, Minot,

ND; sons, James (Cathy)

DeGree, Minot, Bruce (Jill)

DeGree, Foxholm, ND,

Curt (Nancy) DeGree,

Bismarck, ND, Thomas

DeGree, Coon Rapids,

MN, Kevin (Tina) DeGree,

Foxholm, ND; daughters,

Roxann (Daren) Brown,

Des Lacs, ND, Mary (Ja-

son) Winter, Fargo, ND;

18 grandchildren; four

great-grandchildren;

brother, Allen DeGree,

Billings, MT; sister, Carol

(Arnold) Weber, Minot;

and numerous nieces,

nephews and cousins

Don was preceded in

death by: his parents; Jay

and Veronica DeGree;

granddaughter, Courtney

Elizabeth DeGree; si-

blings, Helen Fischer,

Marvin (Fern) DeGree and

Edward (Marlene) DeGree.

Mass of Christian Buri-

al: Monday, April 19,

2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Our

Lady of Grace Catholic

Church, Minot.

Interment: St. Mary’s

Catholic Cemetery, Fox-

holm, ND.

Visitation: Sunday from

5 to 6 p.m. at Our Lady of

Grace Catholic Church,

Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service:

Sunday at 6 p.m. at Our

Lady of Grace Catholic

Church, Minot.

Memorials: are pre-

ferred to United #7 FFA

Chapter in memorial of

Donald

The service will be

livestreamed for the pub-

lic to view and can be ac-

cessed by going to the

Thompson-Larson Fun-

eral home website:

www.thompson

larson.com.

Those wishing to sign

the online register and

share memories may ac-

cess the online obituaries

section at www.thompson

larson.com.